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Campaign: Ali Ardekani videoblogs about the everyday life of a Muslim

A few weeks ago, Talia wrote about the Ramadan blog that had been started by three Muslims giving their perspectives on the Holy Month.  This week, I wanted to highlight another activism campaign along the same vein.

Description: Ali Ardekani, Co-Founder of Ummah Films, has launched a series of videoblogs that highlight issues concerning both the identity and image of Muslims around the world.  Under the alias “Baba Ali” and using Bill Cosby as a role model, Ali attempts to paint Muslims, especially American Muslims, as ordinary.  Using his comedic talents, he directly addresses some of the views that people may have of  extremism in “all Muslims.” He does not deny the fundamentalist views that there are held by some Muslims, but clearly does not condone them.

As a response to finding little to no positive or “regular” depictions of Muslims after conducting a video search online, it is his attempt to encourage discussion without accusations, mass-labels or defensiveness by talking about “everyday situations” that Muslims find themselves in as part of American society and that everyone “can relate to.”  He upholds some Muslims customs or beliefs but often ridicules others in a light-hearted way.  He is part of a larger movement of younger-generation American Muslims who feel they lack a voice in mainstream media, and want to change the current image they see as given to them by the wider public.

Tools Used: YouTube, various other video-sharing sites, videoblogging

How it’s Worked: As of now, Ali’s films and other films have a very large following of American Muslims on YouTube.  This confirms the desire for this group to support movements that have the potential of positively changing their image in the eyes of the public in general.  Of the responses by people outside of this community, there are both positive responses and negative responses.  Some individuals or groups have responded with their own videoblogs.  Several of his and other’s videos have found their way to mainstream media, notably on the Islam Channel in the UK, New York Times and USA Today, and he is frequently asked to speak at various conferences.

A few of Ali’s videos are below.

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